Dislocation Injuries

Have you suffered a dislocated joint due to an accident or negligence? Dealing with painful injuries is difficult. Negotiating with insurance companies and having medical bills pile up doesn’t make it any easier. Contact us today at 1-800-824-5416 and we’ll help you investigate, litigate, and negotiate claims for traumatic injuries. We aim to secure maximum compensation for our clients.

What is a Dislocation Injury?

When your bones are forced from their normal point of contact with one another it’s called a dislocation. Dislocation injuries are most common in shoulders, fingers, elbows, knees, and hips, but can affect other joints as well. Dislocated joints require a trained medical professional to reset them properly, and in most cases will heal completely with a few weeks of rest and rehabilitation. Some joints, however, will have a higher chance of repeated dislocation.

What Causes Dislocation Injuries?

Joint dislocations are common after hard blows, impacts, or falls. Bending a joint beyond it’s normal range of motion, or pulling it harder that is tolerable can also cause a joint to dislocate. Common activities that often cause dislocation injuries are car and biking accidents, sporting injuries, slipping on wet or slick surfaces, and falling from heights.

What are Symptoms of Dislocation Injuries?

It can be difficult to distinguish between a broken bone and a dislocated joint. In either case, both are serious emergencies and require immediate medical attention. A joint that has been dislocated will exhibit the following symptoms:

• Severe pain
• Visible deformation
• Joint instability
• Join immobility
• Swelling
• Redness
• Bruising

There may also be tingling or numbness below the injury. For example, a dislocated shoulder may cause numbness in your arm or hand.

How are Dislocation Injuries Diagnosed?

Trained medical professionals will be able to identify most dislocated joints based on the symptoms listed above. By testing the range of motion, and visually examining the joint, dislocations can be spotted quite easily. X-rays are also highly recommended to ensure that no bone fractures have occurred. In some cases an MRI may also be needed in order to rule out any serious damage to the surrounding joint tissue.

How are Dislocation Injuries Treated?

Joints that have become dislocated will need to be forced back into place. This requires special training, and should only be attempted by a medical professional. If not performed properly, a failed attempt may cause more damage to the joint and surrounding tissue. Returning a joint to its natural position can be a very painful process, and is usually performed under sedation. Attention to dislocated joints should be given as soon as possible, as blood supply to the joint and surrounding tissue may be compromised until it is treated. Some joints, especially the shoulder, may need surgery in order to stabilize it and prevent future dislocations.

Afterwards, the joint will need to be stabilized with a splint or compression bandage. The muscles, tendons, and ligaments will need to be strengthened with physical therapy and exercise to reduce the likelihood of repeated injury.

Los Angeles Dislocation Attorney

If you or a loved one has suffered a dislocation injury as a result of someone’s negligence and would like to discuss your legal options with an experienced Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney, contact us today for a free consultation. We have offices in Encino, Los Angeles, and every city listed at the bottom of this page.

 

Additional Resource

• Traumatic Injury